# Thick filmy goo in my balsamic vinegar - is this normal, can I use, need answer quick-like **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 20, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232 "2020-04-20T23:34:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/1 "2020-04-20T23:34:41Z")
Like slime. Wanted to use tonite? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/2 "2020-04-20T23:47:27Z")
Sounds like a layer of mold, if you ask me. Have you sniffed it? If it’s mold, I’d throw the vinegar away. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/3 "2020-04-20T23:48:09Z")
smells fine, not that old, I have googled my fingers off… ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/4 "2020-04-20T23:54:33Z")
If it’s mould it’s likely aerobic. It’s not like it’s threaded down into the vinegar like mould on bread working through the structure, it’s only on the surface. If it’s in a bottle, decant it, skim the surface, use it. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/5 "2020-04-20T23:56:10Z")
Have you tasted it? If it doesn’t taste like mold, it’s probably just a result of sedimentation. Give the bottle a shake and taste it again. It should be alright. ---
**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/6 "2020-04-21T00:08:18Z")
Is your balsamic the real kind or cheap kind? If it’s a cheaper version with all the sugar not fermented, you might have vinegar mother. You can use it as a starter to make homemade vinegar. Or, you can just discard it and use the balsamic vinegar as is. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/7 "2020-04-21T00:20:54Z")
> [@Saturn\_Dreams](#): > > Is your balsamic the real kind or cheap kind? If it’s a cheaper version with all the sugar not fermented, you might have vinegar mother. You can use it as a starter to make homemade vinegar. Or, you can just discard it and use the balsamic vinegar as is. Semi-Good stuff, like $8 maybe, anyway, and thanks, I just found mother of vinegar. Strained it off, I think I’m good to go!! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-filmy-goo-in-my-balsamic-vinegar-is-this-normal-can-i-use-need-answer-quick-like/852232/8 "2020-04-21T04:30:39Z")
Just go up to it and ask “Are you my [mother](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_of_vinegar)?” (eta: Oops, ninja’d.)